County residents can get prescription card

January 5, 2013

At the end of December, Bingham County officials launched a new program to help community residents deal with the high cost of prescription medications.
Through a partnership with the National Association of County (NACo), the free Prescription Discount Card program provides area residents with a card that is saving consumers across the country an average of 24 percent off the retail price of prescription medications, said Sharon Strum, Bingham County Welfare Director.
"Bingham County is not sponsoring this program; we are just making it available," Strum said.
The card is easy to get and can be used by people who do not have insurance or by those who have prescriptions not covered by insurance. The card can also be used to save money on some pet medications.
It is accepted at 60,000 pharmacies nationwide including all the major chains like Walmart, CVS/Pharmacy, Walgreens, Giant, Safeway and Rite Aid. The participating pharmacies also include the majority of community-based, independent pharmacies.
"The county looked into this program a couple years ago but the local pharmacies were not on board with this program at that time," said Staub. "I think it's going to be a good program."
Bingham County Commissioners approved this program in November. The rollout date was Dec. 28, said Strum.
"We want to help people," Strum said. "We're all for that."
An individual and his or her family may use the prescription discount card any time his/her prescription is not covered by insurance. There are no restrictions and no limits on how many times the card may be used.
This program has no registration, there are no claim forms to fill out and no annual fees to pay. Simply pick up the card at the Bingham County Courthouse in the reception area of Indigent Services, room 233, opposite courtroom number three.
The cards are printed in English and Spanish.
The free discount cards may be used by all Bingham County residents, regardless of age, income or existing health coverage. The discount cards can also be printed from the Internet at www.nacorx.org[3]. Residents can also locate the nearest participating pharmacy from the same website or call toll-free at 1-877-321-2652 for assistance with the program.
The program is administered by CVS Caremark.